Keith Vincent Schroeder, 92, passed away on October 21, 2006 at the Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center in Des Moines. Services were held Wednesday, October 25 at Iles Funeral Homes, Westover Chapel. Private burial will be held later at Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, IL.
Keith was born June 11, 1914 in Rock Island, IL to Bruno Herman Schroeder and Anna Margaret Hammerich. Keith’s father passed away in January 1917. Anna attempted to raise him on a limited income but he was sent to live with his maternal Aunt, Freda Lawson. She and her husband, Ike farmed in the Rippey area. Keith graduated from Rippey High School in 1932. He worked at the Home State Bank in Jefferson for two years. He was then asked to supervise a National Youth Administration project and subsequently became County Supervisor. Keith enrolled in the Federal Civilian Pilot Training Program. He had 180 hours of flight time when he was inducted into the military during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to work at the Iowa Employment Security Commission (now called Job Service). He climbed the ranks until he became Executive Director, a position he held until he retired in 1980. After his retirement he started his own consulting firm. He did this until his second retirement in 2003. Keith was a strong supporter of Drake University since his graduation in 1954. Keith had been a 50 plus year active Shrine member.
Keith is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eunice M. of Des Moines; a daughter, Cygnet Schroeder Bise and her husband, Roger of Fort Smith, Arkansas and three grandchildren, Keith, Claire and Michael.